An individual from California, Victor Rubio Jr., has entered a guilty plea for running an unlicensed money transmitting operation tied to an email scam ring, as disclosed by U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office. Rubio's scheme, which occurred between 2021 and 2022, involved creating shell companies in name only to funnel funds from business email compromise (BEC) schemes, fraudulently obtaining money from a Georgian healthcare liability insurance company and a township in New Jersey, and then sending the money along for a cut to his conspirators.
The funds were transferred to Rubio's accounts following fraudulent instructions from email accounts that appeared trustworthy, causing the victims to mistakenly send money to him instead of the legitimate creditors. The scheme also led to over 45 individuals across various states being charged with related offenses, including seven in the Southern District of Texas, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Rubio, now awaiting sentencing scheduled for April 22, 2025, faces a possible five-year prison term and up to a $250,000 fine, though he remains on bond until the hearing. The investigation was spearheaded by the FBI – Bryan Resident Agent and IRS Criminal Investigation and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Belinda Beek and Thomas Carter.
